Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-09-16
WINDHAM COUNTY CONFERENCE
The Recent Annual session ut West
minister West.

The Congregational churches Of Windham
county held their 4Gth annual conference
sept and ), with the church at WestInins-
ter West goodly number of the pastors
and brethren We're present, twelve of the
sixteen churches in the conference being
represented. The September weather was
all that could be desired for such a gather
ing The opening service of PRAYER was
conducted by the venerable DR. A. Stevens.
who, after forty five years of faithful labor.
has only very recently given over the ac-
tive work OF his parish 10 Rev. H. A.
Go"dhue, native Of Westminster. who for
the past three years has been laboring
at Townshend The conference sermon.
preached by Rev. Il. F. Chaplin of Saxton',
River, from John 2:5, was a very simpl.
and powerful presentation Of the great duty
of obedience. 1t produced a deep impres-
sion upon all who heard it and became the
keynote of all the meetings.
The conference was organized bv the
election of Hon. |. X. Batcheldcr for mod
orator and Rev. c. W Thompson for scribe.
In the afte noon Rev H. 4. Goudhue re
ported upon the state of Religion in the
Churches. There have been no special re
vlvals during the year, but good degree
OF interest and progress was shown To ey-
list in most of the churches. Saxtons River
reports the most additions, Brattlehoro com
ing second, The little church i'm Marlboro
under its efficient pastor, has been advanc-
ing steadily. a noticeable movement is OBJ
served in the fact that in four cases two
churches are served by one minister. One
OF the most interesting hours was that de-
voted to the societies of Christian Endeavor,
ooi winch there are seven in the county do
ing good work for the young people. i'The
nnaIg nf
discussed by Rev. c. H. Smith and Rev. O.
f. Thayer, 1t was shown that although
there are 60 churches of all kinds in the
county, yet more than half the people never
attend church it was urged that what we
need Is not more meetings, or more churches.
but more personal endeavOr 10 lead men to
accept the gospel.
The evening service was devoted to a con
slderation Of the claims of the leading be-
nevolent societies, and was full of interest
and instruction Rev James Herrick smoke
for Foreign missions, dwelling upon the
work in India with which he was identified
Tor forty years. Rev. G. o. Day spoke for
Home missions, and urged especially the
duty OF Vermont churches to contribute for
missionary work in Vermont Rev. c. W.
Thompson spoke for the American Mission
airy association and Rev. Q. II. Merrill for
the Congregational Union.
Thursday morning Rev. II. NJ. Bowden
spoke upon The moral condition of our
church members" He thought that where
there seems to be letting down of the
standard of morals it is because we are in a
transition state passing from period in
winch form was every thing 10 one in which
spirit is 10 be emphasized.
Rev {. q. Day spoke upon "Neighbor-
hood work by local churches, gathering w
the thoughts which had been brought out in
the various discussions. 1t can hardly be
otherwise than that all who listened to all
that was said will 20 back to their work i'm
pressed anew with the duty of aggressive
Christian work
A profitable half hour was spent in listen
ing 10 DR.. Stevens while he answered out of
ms own experience various questions which
We're handed him, and the conference was
brought to a close with the Communion ser
vice. Altogether the meeting was an ex-
ceedlngly pleasant and profitable one, not
the least pleasant thing being the cordial
and hountiful provision made for the com
fort of visitors by the good people of the
Westminster church
Most of the old officers were reelected
except that Rev G, IL. Smith was chosen
register of the conference in place of Rev.
| @. II. Merrill, resigned. The next meeting
Is To- be held at West Brattleboro with Rev
o. W. Thompson for preacher.